BBVA’s Crypto Push Signals Pressure on European Banks

[AIcash]

BBVA’s early embrace of retail crypto services could reshape Europe’s banking landscape. While rivals such as KBC and Deutsche Bank have explored blockchain, none have yet launched full 24/7 crypto trading under MiCA.

The bank piloted the service with several thousand users before rolling it out nationally in July. It also advised Swiss wealth clients to consider a 3–7% crypto allocation earlier this year.

Investor interest mirrors this digital pivot: BBVA shares have nearly doubled in 2025, climbing from $9.50 to about $19.08, with daily volume topping one million shares. The performance underscores how the market is rewarding banks that integrate crypto into mainstream finance.

[Nahid10]

BBVA’s move positions it as a pioneer among European banks, setting a new benchmark for integrating compliant retail crypto services directly into traditional banking platforms.

[kelson10]

With MiCA providing regulatory clarity, BBVA’s 24/7 crypto trading rollout could pressure competitors like Deutsche Bank and KBC to accelerate their own blockchain adoption plans.